Sample Sources
The sources below are those contained in our three curated collections—covering themes of Passover, Gender Roles, and Holocaust Resistance. They represent a fraction of the thousands of sources that will be available when the full site launches in 2024.
Chronicle of Fez
I have found written in the handwriting of the sage, our master, the crown and glory that rests upon our heads, the perfect sage and excellent judge, who is modest and happy in all his affairs. His…
Wedding Poem for Jacob Teixeira and Sarah Ximenes
Jacob Teixeira was born in Amsterdam in 1724 to Judith Nunes Henriques (b. Amsterdam, 1703–1732) and Joseph Teixeira (b. London, 1699–1775), who descended from the wealthy Portuguese Teixeira family…
Confusión de Confusiones (Confusion of Confusions)
Philosopher:
I think I have fully grasped usque ad ultimas differentias the meaning of the Company, its shares, its principles, its reputation, its splendor, its initiation, its progress, its…
Responsum: On the Decoration of a Torah Ark
Question: I was asked by the leaders of the holy congregation of Prostějov: A small piece of paper on which was drawn the image of a menorah, with the verses beginning “May God be gracious to us” from…
Hymn to the Sabbath
Come, my beloved, to meet the bride, we’ll greet the Sabbath’s arrival.Observe and remember in a single utterance the singular Lord instructed us; the Lord is One, and One is His Name, for glory, for…
Vía de salvación (Path of Salvation)
Great God, author of death and life! for as much as Thy sovereign clemency shows itself so propitious toward me, that in the midst of the illness in which Thou hast placed me…
She‘are kedushah (Gates of Holiness)
You already know that concerning all matters of supernal attainment, one needs to be alone in his house so that others will not disturb his thought, and he himself needs to…
Letter about Martin Luther
Behold, at this time, faithful Jews from the lands of Ashkenaz and Bohemia came to Jerusalem from nearby—with letters from both of these lands—as they came to attest and tell of their interest in a…
Selections from the Kurant
Lisbon, July 26. Here three rich Portuguese were detained on suspicion of secretly having practiced their faith. And their lives would have been spared if, God forbid, they would have…
Meḥir yayin (The Price of Wine): On Esther
I, Moses, son of his honor my father and teacher, the leader and guide, Israel, may he live a long and good life, I who am called Moses Isserles of Kraków, was among the exiles [see Ezekiel 1:1] who…
Commentary: On Pirke Avot
Moses received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua; Joshua to the elders; the elders to the prophets; and the prophets transmitted it to the men of the Great Assembly. They said three…
Responsum: On Philosophy
On the thirty-third day of the counting [of the Omer, i.e., Lag b’Omer]. May there be tranquility and pleasantness in your chamber of Torah. May God continuously save the beautiful pearl, for whom the…